Yearly Archives: 2012

Safer spaces and better markets in the Pacific islands

Honaria’s central market in the Solomon Islands was dirty, crowded, and well known for petty crime and harassment – particularly for its mainly-women vendors.  For many, making it “women friendly” was a lost cause. Yet despite critics and detractors, a woman leader was appointed as market manager for the first time, on the recommendation of [...]

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Pacific parliamentarians UNiTE to end violence against women

In the lead  up to the Pacific Islands Forum in the Cook Islands this week, parliamentarians representing eight Pacific Island Countries have released a signed statement calling for increased efforts and sustained action  to eliminate violence against women and girls, under the framework of the Secretary General’s UNiTE campaign. The Pacific region has one of [...]

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Changing beliefs, inspiring change: A men’s forum to end violence against women in Lebanon

It can be difficult to identify the exact moment that we are touched by change. But Ali Raad, a secondary school teacher from the Lebanese village of Baalbek, can trace one such moment to a community discussion, arranged by a local NGO. “I didn’t know what gender was really about until I attended the training,” [...]

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UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet to attend high level meeting of Pacific Leaders in Cook Islands

Michelle Bachelet, UN Women’s Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, will attend the 43rd Pacific Islands Forum Meeting, to be held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands from 28 to 30 of August 2012.

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Michelle Bachelet spotlights remarkable Australian women in her address to students at the Australian National University

Statement by Michelle Bachelet UN Women Executive Director on Gender Equality and Women’s Rights at Australian National University Canberra, Australia 24 August 2012.

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UN Women signs partnership agreement with the International Olympic Committee to advance gender equality

UN Women and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have signed a partnership agreement which will promote women’s empowerment through sports. On behalf of UN Women, Executive Director Michelle Bachelet signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Committee, represented by its President, Dr. Jacques Rogge. The partnership lays the groundwork for future collaborations to promote [...]

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Australia-UN Women joint press conference

Australia-UN Women joint press statement during Michelle Bachelet official trip to Australia August 2012.

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UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet addresses Parliamentarians in Australia

Remarks by UN Women Executive Director Michele Bachelet at the Australian Parliament House Thursday 23rd August, 2012.

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Making profits, changing mindsets: Women’s cooperatives bring social change in the occupied Palestinian territories

As a young girl, Khitam Sameeh dreamed of finishing high school in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (oPt) and staking out a career path. Instead, an early arranged marriage at 15 left her raising five children, with few options for easing a daily economic struggle. She was not alone: according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of [...]

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One million sign to end violence against women in Pakistan

A high profile campaign to end violence against women (VAW) in Pakistan has culminated ceremonially with the signature of its one millionth supporter – the country’s President. UN Women launched the One Million Signatures Campaign during the annual  16 Days of Activism in Pakistan in 2011, in partnership with a country-wide network of women’s organizations, [...]

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